Thromboembolism
Thromboembolism is a thrombosis of the cavities of the heart or blood vessels, with further introduction of detached particles into other parts of the cardiovascular system. This condition has significant differences from thrombosis, which is a physiological reaction (for example, with vascular wounds), when bleeding stops due to a blood clot.
Thromboembolism can have different primary localization: peripheral veins, large aortic veins, heart cavities. This disease can manifest itself in cancer of various localization, myocardial infarction, heart defects. From the cavity of the left heart or aorta, thromboembols enter the arteries of the brain, spleen, kidneys and lower extremities. From the veins of the pelvis and lower extremities and the cavities of the right heart, thromboembolism into the pulmonary artery and further along its branches.
CAUSES OF THROMBOEMBOLISM
The main role in the occurrence of this disease is due to a change in the blood coagulation system, which occurs due to infection, pathological processes, emotional overstrain, prolonged bed rest, injury to blood vessels during surgery.
SYMPTOMS OF THROMBOEMBOLISM
The symptoms of this disease directly depend on what level and which vessel was subjected to obturation. The main symptom is a circulatory disorder. The diagnosis of thromboembolism has a number of difficulties, since thrombosis develops gradually, blood circulation is disrupted slowly, so the overall clinical picture is somewhat blurred.
Acute blockage of the abdominal aorta is characterized by:
Lack of sensitivity.
Inability to actively move the legs.
Absence of pulsation in the peripheral arteries.
The manifestation of ischemic pain in the legs.
Inhibition of consciousness.
A sharp decrease in blood pressure.
Rapid deterioration of the patient’s acute condition.
Rapid increase of intoxication.
Cyanosis of the lower extremities.
Development of wet gangrene of the extremities.
In this case, rapid therapeutic measures are required.
Femoral and iliac artery thromboembolism is characterized by:
Severe pain in the extremities.
The disappearance of pulsation at the site of blockage, when it increases above the affected area.
The state of collapse.
Rapid development of gangrene of the extremities.
Pulmonary embolism is characterized by:
Sudden pain in the heart area.
Sharp pallor.
Cyanosis of the face.
Swelling of the cervical veins.
Loss of consciousness of the patient.
With thromboembolism of the pulmonary trunk, a fatal outcome can occur within a few minutes.
Mesenteric artery thromboembolism is characterized by:
The manifestation of symptoms of an acute abdomen.
Intestinal necrosis.
DIAGNOSIS OF THROMBOEMBOLISM
The decision on the choice and sequence of diagnostic measures depends on the severity of the clinical picture and individually in each case. In severe conditions of thromboembolism, diagnostic measures should be carried out simultaneously with the beginning of therapeutic care. In cases of additional thrombolysis of the patient and with an instantly changing, increasing pathological condition, diagnostic measures should be curtailed and intensive therapy, whose goal is to fight for the patient’s life, should be initiated.
TREATMENT OF THROMBOEMBOLISM
If this disease is suspected, urgent hospitalization is required. Bed rest is prescribed, and the affected limb should be positioned in such a way as to be slightly higher than the body, and it should be completely immobilized.
In the case of an embolism of a large arterial vessel, which caused a sudden disorder in the circulation, an emergency operation is performed.
Conservative treatment of thrombembolism includes the use of drugs that reduce blood clotting. To relieve pain, painkillers are prescribed.
